AZERBAIJANI PARLIAMENT’S VISIT ENDS

AzerTag, Azerbaijan
June 6 2006

Press secretary of the Milli Majlis (parliament of Azerbaijan) Akif
Nasirov told AzerTAg correspondent that meeting with members of the
parliamentary friendship group in the Seym of Latvia was one of the
important events during the visit of the parliamentary delegation
of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Latvia. Chairman of the Friendship
Group from the Latvian side Oleg Denisov said that his country shows a
great interest in Azerbaijan. Reminding of Latvian President’s visit
to Azerbaijan Oleg Denisov noted that his visit opened new stage for
further development of bilateral ties.

During the meeting, Latvian deputies spoke of the need for further
development of bilateral relations. They expressed their attitude
towards Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Deputy Arvinds
Ulme described barbarism committed by Armenians in Azerbaijani
lands as aggression against the humanity and expressed regret that
international structures have not taken the right and fair position
on this matter yet.

Chairman of the Milli Majlis Ogtay Asadov thanked the Latvian
state and its parliament for supporting of Azerbaijan’s just cause
towards Armenia-Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Ogtay opined
on the need for more expansion of the Azerbaijan-Latvia ties and
interparliamentary relations both within groups of friendship as well
as relations between legislative bodies of both countries.

Head of the Milli Majlis Apparat Safa Mirzoyev highlighted the need to
establish cooperation between the administrations of both countries’
parliaments.

Milli Majlis deputy Gultekin Hajiyeva noted that the fact that
Azerbaijan first opened its embassy in Riga among Baltic States is the
testimony of the special interest both countries show to each other.

The meeting participants noted that there are potential possibilities
for developing economic, political, cultural, agrarian and tourism
ties and this visit will serve as impetus for bilateral relations.

Upon completion of the meetings, speaker of Azerbaijani parliament
Ogtay Asadov gave interview to the Central television of Latvia
LTV-1. He responded the journalists’ questions concerning
Latvia-Azerbaijan ties, Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, bilateral
economic relations and others.

The parliamentary delegation headed by chairman of the Milli Majlis
Ogtay Asadov also participated in some events. Charity concert
co-organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan to Latvia and Latvian
Ministry of Culture was held for disabled children in Yurmala. The
joint concert program of the State Children’s Philarmonia of Azerbaijan
Republic and children’s musical schools of Latvia contribute to
development of cultural ties.

MM speaker Ogtay Asadov and members of the delegation visited
Azerbaijani embassy in Latvia and familiarized themselves with the
embassy staff’s work conditions.

Thus, the delegation wrapped up its working visits to Estonia
to participate in the Tallinn summit of chairpersons of European
parliaments, to Helsinki to participate in the event devoted to the
100th anniversary of the Finnish parliament and Latvia.

The delegation left Riga for Baku the same day in the evening.